Why do you believe in Karma (I don't, so just wondering why people do)?

Answer 1

2 days ago I retrieved a dog from the humane society that was year old, to be destroyed the next day. A christian woman had him abused him and I think it is Karma that I will pray for her to become a pig's ear in her next life.

Answer 2

Generally, the same reason that anyone beleives in any religious doctrine. That is, they just do. Faith is not somehting that most people are prepared ot justify.

In the specific case of Karma, I beleive that it is an attractive concept because people want to thin that the world is fair, if only in the long run. Karma gives them a way to say, "Well, they may get away with that now, and there's nothing I can do to stop them. But, oh boy, are they going to get it later, from the cosmos!"

Answer 3

I personally don't believe in Karma either but do believe we reap what we sow, two seperate but simular beliefs. Karma being an reward or punishment in this lifetime or in the afterlife, and reaping what we sow, consequences we experience because of some action or decision we make during our lifetime.

In the 70's it was a catchy little phrase we used during the "Age of Aquarius" era....

We meditated on this question for a little while, and then headed toward Yahoo!'s Hinduism and Buddhism categories. Once there, we found many sites willing to play guru and explain the doctrine of karma, a concept found in both religions.
This Hindu primer sums up karma as the law of cause and effect. The principle is similar to that expressed by the Christian verse, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." The word karma means action, and it's used as short-hand for the idea that every action you take causes a reaction in the future. Positive, caring actions will bring positive results back to you, whereas negative, hurtful actions will result in your suffering.

Many people believe that both good and bad karma can return to you at any time, even after this lifetime. Hindus believe that the soul is immortal and is reborn in a new body after a person dies. Thus, you have an endless series of lives to work on your karma. In each life, you should strive to do good works and evolve spiritually so your next life will be better than this one. Hindus seek to eventually break free of the cycle of reincarnation and attain eternal bliss of the soul, called moksha.

A god does not administer the law of karma. There is no cosmic judge who doles out punishments and rewards, although some suggest that there is a "cosmic accountant" who tracks each person's karma. Ultimately, each individual is responsible for his or her own actions and karma.

Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha and upon whose teachings all of Buddhism is based, was born into Hindu society and believed in the doctrine of karma. The Buddhist perspective on karma isn't very different than that of Hindus. Every action you take will have a repercussion in the future, and you have to live with the consequences of your actions. Most Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and their goal is to transcend constant birth and rebirth to achieve nirvana, similar to the Hindu moksha.

Buddhism also places importance on the intent of one's actions. For example, if you accidentally step on a bug and kill it, you won't create bad karma. But if you purposefully kill it, you create bad karma. Likewise, if your actions unintentionally benefit others, you do not create good karma. Only when you mindfully do good, do you create good karma.

Answer 4

I don't believe in Karma in the strictest sense of the word, but from my studies of various religions I definitely think that there's some truth to it. What goes around comes around, to be cliched. If you prefer a more scientific approach, Newton stated: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So while it's not like the gods are out there plotting to kick your spiritual dupa because you did something rotten, it remains true that something bad will happen to you in return.

Answer 5

People believe in karma, because they wan't to believe that bad people will always get whats coming to them.

If karma doesn't exist, then there is no real reason why you shouldn't take advantage of other people in order to improve your life. There would be no penalty for it, as long as what you did was legal.

Answer 6

The phrases "he will get what is coming to him, " and "what goes around comes around" and "treat others as you wish to be treated" all deal with karma. By treating others with respect and being the best person you can good things will come to you. This is a common believe in most cultures.

Answer 7

I believe in Karma. According to Karma, not all bad things are caused by bad actions, and not all good things are caused by good actions. However, it is commonly known that if you are a good person and are kind to others then you will receive love in return, but if you are hateful and bitter you will ot be well liked. It is as simple as that...

Answer 8

It's an explanation for why bad things happen, why life is seemingly "unfair." It's less painful to think we deserved it somehow than it is to think it's completely random and senseless.

EDIT: Remember that karma can come from another lifetime. Somebody who is a good person in this lifetime, and gets crapped on continually, may have done something "bad" in another lifetime. At least, this is the theory and why karma isn't always evident to us.

Answer 9

I think people believe in karma because they can't stand believing that some people really do get away with things, then just die of old age without being punished.

Answer 10

I've seen it happen several times, both good and bad. Karma can take many forms, as in someone returing a favor, or someone giving you something important that you dropped without realizing it.